Archive for February 12, 2011
Wael Ghonim
I was told that he wrote this on Twitter: “Dear Western Governments, You’ve been silent for 30 years supporting the regime that was oppressing us. Please don’t get involved now #Jan25 7:53 AM Feb 11th.” (thanks JL)
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
“peace process”
“Some policymakers in Western capitals have convinced themselves that seizing the moment to promote the Israeli-Palestinian peace process will placate public opinion. This is to engage in both denial and wishful thinking. It ignores that Arabs have bec…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
reform, my potato
“U.S. calls for reform will likewise fall flat. A messenger who has backed the status quo for decades is a poor voice for change. Attempts to pressure regimes can backfire, allowing rulers to depict protests as Western-inspired and opposition leaders a…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
The powerful Aljazeera
“ Al-Jazeera has emerged as a full-fledged political actor because it reflects and articulates popular sentiment. It has become the new Nasser. The leader of the Arab world is a television network.”
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Look who is advising Obama: the neo-con who hearts democracy and House of Saud
“”We do have mending to do with the Saudis and others, who seem to have concluded we threw Mubarak over the side,” said Elliott Abrams, a former deputy national security adviser for the Middle East under George W. Bush. “It will take a little tending t…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
That is not the way to treat a puppet, damn it
“But a senior Republican member of Congress who has access to intelligence reports said U.S. spy agencies have seen recent indications that other Middle East leaders were dismayed by the United States’ treatment of Mubarak. ”The other countries a…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
US challenge: how to make Arabs vote for US/Israel puppets
So the US challenge is how to make Arabs vote for people like House of Saud and King of Jordan: ”Senior U.S. officials say the economic stagnation, youthful populations and simmering political frustration in those kingdoms – echoes of Tunis and C…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Mini-Hariri
A Middle East businessman with connections around the Middle East told me today that the relations between Sa`d Hariri and segments of the House of Saud have soured. He now is still aligned with Prince `Abdul-`Aziz, Prince Bandar, and Prince Sult…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Revolt in Libya
It is unlikely that the revolt in Libya–when it comes–will be peaceful. Qadhdhafi is so detested by his people and I expect that protesters would want to get their hands on him and his enforcers.
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
My talk in Dearborn
For details here.
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Hafiz Mirazi puts Al-Arabiyyah TV on notice
Saudi media have been pathetic in their propaganda on behalf of Mubarak. They have been vilified by Egyptians for their fabrication and distortion of news: they even distorted a message by Wael Ghonem to help Mubarak. So the host of “Studio…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
the 1919 Egyptian revolt
“Against this backdrop of immense political consciousness and involvement, the Egyptian regime today, like the British and the acquiescent Egyptian government in 1919, made a potentially fatal mistake; they went against a politically mobilised peopl…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
A prisoner in the Four Seasons in Cairo
One of the most corrupt billionaires in Egypt, Ahmad `Izz (former secretary of the ruling party) is held under house arrest you read. In fact, he is staying at the Four Seasons Hotel. This is how the ruling junta will fight corruption.
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Jamal Mubarak
Was asked about what he likes most about his dad. He said that he really likes the dignified way in which his dad left office, showered with the love of his people and wrapped with their affection. Sweet.
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
The Egyptian People
When you watch the Egyptian people, you have to say this: they are the most articulate people one knows. They never run out of words to say and they never pause for the right word. This is true for the educated and the less educated alike. …
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Readings on Egypt
I have been asked to recommend more books and articles on Egypt: aside from Robert Springborg’s Mubarak’s Egypt, which I have mentioned before, you need Diane Singerman’s Avenues of Participation and Saba Mahmood’s Politics of Piety. I should sug…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
For insightful analysis of the Middle East, I always turn to
Lindsay Lohan: “”Congratulations to the people of Egypt. Your voices were heard and you proved that peaceful demonstrations are possible and effective …. x” … “I pray Egypt maintains it’s [sic] treaty with Israel and sets the trend for its neighbor…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Egyptian revolt of 1919
Read: Ellis Goldberg, “Peasants in Revolt – Egypt 1919, International Journal of Middle East Studies, Vol. 24, No. 2 (May, 1992), pp. 261-280.
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
New York Times on the 1919 Egyptian-Sudanese Uprising
“800 NATIVES DEAD IN EGYPT’S RISING; 1,600 WOUNDED; Harmsworth Tells the Commons of Casualties in the Recent Outbreak. DEATH SENTENCES FOR 39 More Than 2,000 Imprisoned– British, Army Sustained Loss of 143. ALLENBY’S CONTROL FIRM Disorders Ended in Ap…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad
Role models for Jamal Mubarak
“MEQ: What political leaders, current or past, do you consider your models? Gamal Mubarak: The models that I am thinking about are all related to a particular time in history: Winston Churchill, who resisted Nazi Germany at a time when every…
Posted on February 12, 2011 by As'ad